Israeli Physicians Carry out Stoppage; Support Striking Engineers

January 16, 1962

TELAVIV (Jan. 15)

More than 5, 000 physicians in public institutions throughout Israel today carried out a four-hour work stoppage, in support of the strike of the 6, 000 engineers employed by public agencies; As the strike of the Engineers Union for higher wages entered its fifth day today, both the strikers and the Government, which strongly opposes the strike, tightened their lines.

The Engineers Union today carried out its threat of enlarging its forces, by calling out members of the union employed in essential industry like public utilities and water works. Rumors are circulating that the Government may implement emergency regulations–for the first time in Israel’s history–thus forcing the striking engineers to go back to work; There are also reports that Army engineers may be put into key posts, so that ther Israeli public will not suffer as a result of the strike.

The 5,000 physicians, employed by the Histadrut Sick Fund, Hadassah, Malben and public hospitals, went on strike from 8 a; m; to noon; Clinics were staffed by nurses, while emergency skeleton medical staffs stayed on at hospitals.

Meanwhile, the first break among the ranks of the employers took place today; Rassco, the National Construction Company, signed a separate agreement with the engineers, granting them the 16-1/2 percent increase which they demanded. Rassco engineers returned to work immediately, today, after the new pact was signed.